Apple tree named &#39;PremA17&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘PremA17’ is a new and distinct apple tree ( Malus domestica  Mill.) notable for its attractive blush yellow color and excellent flavor and texture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional application No. 61/208,862, filed on Feb. 29, 2009.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

GENUS AND SPECIES

Malus domestica Mill.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘PremA17’

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new variety of apple tree ‘PremA17’ was created in the course of a planned breeding program carried out at The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Limited, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. ‘PremA17’ originated as a result of a controlled cross of ‘A045R13T007’ (not patented) and ‘A020R02T167’ (not patented). ‘PremA17’ was selected as a single plant from among a population of seedlings derived from the parents, and was selected for its attractive fruit and its excellent flavor and texture. Asexual propagation by budding was first carried out in Havelock North, New Zealand. The variety has since been observed over a number of asexually propagated generations, and has been found to remain true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows the blossoms of ‘PremA17’; and

FIG. 2 shows the fruit of ‘PremA17’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed botanical description is based on observations of three year old ‘PremA17’ apple trees grown at Havelock North, New Zealand. Color descriptions refer to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. It should be understood that the characteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions, and can vary with location and season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual plants of the new variety. The measurements of any individual plant, or any group of plants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

-   Tree:     -   -   Vigor.—Medium vigor.         -   Habit.—Spreading.         -   Size.—Height: 1.8 m; spread 1.0 m.         -   Trunk.—Diameter: 2.5 cm at 30 cm above graft union; bark             texture smooth; color greyed-orange 176B.         -   Trunk lenticels.—Density 40 per square inch; length 0.1 to             0.2 cm; color orange-white 159D.         -   Branches.—Length 60 cm; diameter 0.9 cm; crotch angle 90°;             color greyed-orange 176B (fruiting branch located about 1 m             above graft union).         -   Branch lenticels.—Density 15 per square inch; length 0.1 cm;             color orange-white 159D.         -   Winter hardiness.—Hardy in area tested. -   Dormant one year old shoot:     -   -   Size.—Diameter 0.5 cm; length 47 cm.         -   Color.—Brown N200C over greyed-orange 176B.         -   Internode length.—2.5 cm.         -   Lenticels.—Density 15 per square inch; length 0.1 cm; color             orange-white 159D. -   Flowers:     -   -   Bud.—Quantity per spur 5 to 8; length 1.1 cm; diameter 0.8             cm; color red-purple N57D with white 155C.         -   Petals.—Quantity per flower 5; not touching; color white             155C and red purple N57D when fully open.         -   Flower.—Diameter 5.2 cm.         -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower 2; length 0.8 cm; width 0.2 cm;             color yellow-green 144D.         -   Pedicel.—Length 2.5 cm; diameter 0.2 cm; color yellow-green             144B.         -   Anthers.—Quantity per flower 10; length 0.1 cm; pollen color             yellow 4C.         -   Stigma.—Color yellow 4C.         -   Style.—Length 0.9; color yellow 145B.         -   Ovary.—Length 0.5 cm; width 0.2 cm; color yellow-green 145B. -   Leaf:     -   -   Size.—Length 3.2 cm; width 1.2 cm.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Color.—Upper surface green 137B; lower surface yellow-green             146C.         -   Shape.—Ovate; apex acuminate; base equilateral.         -   Petiole.—Length 1.5 cm; width 0.3 cm; color yellow-green             144D. -   Fruit:     -   -   Size.—Diameter 7.6 cm; height 7.6 cm.         -   Fruit shape.—Globose.         -   Position of maximum diameter.—Equator.         -   Ribbing.—Absent.         -   Crowning at calyx end.—Absent.         -   Aperture of eye.—Closed.         -   Depth of eye basin.—Medium, 1 cm.         -   Width of eye basin.—Medium, 2.5 cm.         -   Stalk.—Diameter 0.5 cm; length 4.0 cm.         -   Depth of stalk cavity.—Medium, 1.8 cm.         -   Width of stalk cavity.—Medium 1.5 cm.         -   Size of lenticels.—Very small. 0.5 mm.         -   Bloom of skin.—Absent.         -   Greasiness of skin.—Absent.         -   Ground color of skin.—Yellow 3C.         -   Over color of skin.—Red 45A stripe with red 47B blush over             approximately 25% of surface.         -   Flesh.—Texture crisp; medium juiciness; color white 155B.         -   Seeds.—Quantity per fruit 5; teardrop shape; length 0.7 cm,             width 0.5 cm; color greyed-orange 166A.         -   Aroma.—Weak. -   Harvest date: 2 weeks before ‘Tenroy Gala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.     4,121). 

1. A new and distinct variety of apple plant substantially as shown and described herein. 